SPEED AND BARRETT-JACKSON REACH EXTENDED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
Multi-year Deal Includes Coverage of the Scottsdale, Palm Beach and Las Vegas Events
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 28, 2008 – The world’s premier collector car auction company, Barrett-Jackson, and SPEED , the definitive motorsports and automotive lifestyle network, have reached an agreement on a multi-year contract to continue live broadcasts of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Events in Scottsdale, Ariz., and West Palm Beach, Fla., and extend coverage to include Barrett-Jackson’s new Las Vegas auction. The deal gives SPEED exclusive rights to live coverage of Barrett-Jackson’s three auctions and will include multi-platform support such as SPEEDtv.com, mobile, “video on demand” and Fantasy Bid.
“Our new contract is a testament to the growing passion of the collector car hobby,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Over the years, our companies have formed a dynamic partnership that has been instrumental to our growth, as well as to the development of this amazing hobby. Barrett-Jackson and SPEED are a winning team, with high ratings, impressive sales numbers and record breaking attendance to prove it.”
The relationship between Speed and Barrett-Jackson began in 1997 with six hours of coverage during the Scottsdale event. Since then, the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Events and auction programming have become one of the highest-rated shows on the network. The coverage, highlighted by over 40 hours of live action in 2007, has vaulted the thrilling collector car hobby into the mainstream, making it accessible to millions of new collectors across the globe.
“Barrett-Jackson has done a great job of consigning a range of cars from many price ranges – with entry level cars early in the week giving way to the high-dollar vehicles as the weekend goes on,” noted Rick Miner, SPEED SVP of Production & Operations. “What they’re doing is consigning cars that the public wants to buy and that everyone wants to see on television. It’s a great event.”
Barrett-Jackson auctions were born in 1967 from a simple charity car show called “Fiesta del los Auto Elegance” to benefit local Scottsdale charities. By 1971, the show had grown, featuring classics from Russ Jackson’s and Tom Barrett’s personal collections, including Mr. Barrett’s Mercedes 770 Phaeton that fetched $153,000 – setting the automotive world abuzz.
The ’80s and ’90s saw massive growth in the industry and big changes as Craig Jackson took over the company and forged an aggressive, long-term plan of growth, which included a new relationship with SPEED. Over the past 11 years, that relationship has helped position Barrett-Jackson as the premier auction company within the collector car hobby.
“There have been many great moments in more than a decade of broadcasting from the auction block,” added Miner. “One of my favorite memories actually happened in Palm Beach, when they sold the Howard Hughes 1953 Buick Roadmaster. It was a very dramatic moment, especially when it hit a million. You knew the Palm Beach auction had really arrived at that point.”
“Nothing tops the legendary sale of Carroll Shelby’s ’66 Cobra Super Snake last year in Scottsdale,” said Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. “The electricity in the building was unlike anything I had ever witnessed. Like most of the memorable moments at Barrett-Jackson, the entire sale of the Super Snake was captured by SPEED. They were able to catch the intense exchanges between our auctioneers and the bidders, as well as the reactions of the consignor and Mr. Shelby when the car sold for a record $5 million.”
About SPEED
SPEED is the nation’s first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more information.
Media Contact
Luke DeRouen lderouen@timepiecepr.com or (214) 520-3430 ext. 301(www.timepiecepr.com).